FCAT scores debate continues this afternoon

Many of Florida's school superintendents plan to fill the State Board of Education's workshop this afternoon to show their solidarity for a proposal to change FCAT passing scores. They back the measure, which many of them vetted in a lengthy review process, saying the new scores to get levels 1-5 would maintain high standards without being unrealistic.

In the past, superintendents and testing experts have said that the passing score for grade 3 was too low, while it was too high by grade 10.

State Board of Education members, meanwhile, have suggested that they aren't interested in lowering any scores. At least one said to expect to see this afternoon an alternate proposal to the one being floated by the Department of Education staff and review panels.

Pasco County superintendent Heather Fiorentino, also a former lawmaker, told the Gradebook that the issue of inconsistent cut scores had been discussed even while she was in the Legislature nearly a decade ago. She argued the time is right to change them so they are "fair and extremely vigorous" at the same time.

She noted that within the proposal is also a little noted recommendation to increase the FCAT "passing" level from 2 to 3. That would come on top of changing the score needed to earn a level 3.

"This is the most important issue we are dealing with," Fiorentino said, as she drove to Jacksonville. "You are talking about students who are going to pass or fail, whether they are going to be able to graduate."

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.